Miscellaneous

Many of you already know, but I will be producing a "Crime Scene" issue of Sunday Journal on Sunday May 4th. Anyone (And I do mean anyone) who wishes to contribute should write a short fictional story of a maximum of 2,500 words.

Please do your best not to clone CSI episodes. A crime scene can take on many forms and many faces. It would look different to the criminal. And what defines a "crime" anyway? Further to that, what is a crime scene before it's a crime scene? Is it a black and white concept?

I looked around at the green shape against the blue sky. Tree shape. See it every day. Start off near the ground with one thick thing, which branches twice, then they branch twice, then those branch twice. Branches. A familiar shape...

An interesting news item caught my eye this week; a group of Church of England bishops are of the opinion that the latest foul weather is a direct result of our depravity! The bishops said the recent floods which claimed seven lives and deluged thousands of homes were the result of "moral degradation". While stressing that those affected were innocent victims, they claimed the devastation was the consequence of the West's decision to ignore Biblical teaching, with an "arrogant" world "reaping what we have sown"...

One of the best things about my job is that I get to do my own thing for much of the time. As long as I'm busy, I'm pretty much left to get on with things. So, if I think it's a good idea to hold a public meeting and let people pass all their complaints to me, it's up to me to arrange it and deal with the problems as they arise. Similarly, if I decide it's time to visit a Primary School and play Johnny Ball for the day, well, that's pretty much okay too. I just have to make sure everyone knows where I am and as long as I come back with the right sort of photos everybody's happy...

While admiring ArkSanctum.Org's new design template, creative genius Dave Steele inadvertently placed his pot of tea right on Dave Barltrop's artwork, leaving an indelible stain.

The site's designer Dave Barltrop had been up until the early hours this morning working on the new cleaner-look. "I couldn't believe it! I sat down after breakfast to carry on working and that flipping dope had left his cuppa right on the page", tears ran down Mr Barltrop's cheeks as he explained the situation.

Onlookers have suggested Stain Devils product line as a potential solution, but many feel it's beyond repair.

Mr Barltrop sobbed, "I'll probably have to start the whole thing again from scratch. I mean, it's not as if it was a decent brand of tea or anything, it was bloody Tescos Value teabags, for crying out loud!"

If any visitors to this site have a good household remedy for tea stains please do leave a comment.

The British Broadcasting Corporation has decided to use Digital Rights Management (DRM) in its new iPlayer software to control how it's 'on-demand' material is viewed.

This decision could have devastating consequences: The proposed BBC iPlayer download manager element requires Windows Media Player 10 and Windows XP. So for those using Linux or Mac OS for example, the BBC's 'on-demand' material will probably not be accessible.

For more detailed articles on this matter please read: iPlayer - wikipedia entry and Save the BBC from Windows DRM!

There is a petition collecting signatures at the Number 10 Downing Street website aimed at preventing this from happening.

Update: There is a news item in the May 11th issue of UK magazine MacUser that states the BBC has softened on this issue and intends to support other operating systems with iPlayer. Perhaps this is due to the BBC Trust's recent public consultation, which seems to have ended (links to the online survey are now dead).

I recommend this new group...

A very tired arm

Did you know that during an equinox you can balance an egg on its end? Try it now or you will lose the moment for another six months!

Top gear star Richard Hammond critically injured driving a jet powered car!

Fascinating goings on in Thai capital Bangkok!

Tanks outside government house.

Why does ArkSanctum begin to remind me of The Young Ones? With myself as Nigel Planer!

The films of Kenneth Anger available on DVD for the first time!

This still is from Rabbit's Moon

Too old to have the internet?! Are they serious?